LAMBO-MAN: Lambert is off to the World Cup before a dream move to Liverpool [GETTY]

The transfer has not yet been confirmed but a deal has been agreed between the two clubs, thought to be worth around £4m, and Lambert was in Liverpool yesterday for a medical before flying off to Miami with the England World Cup squad today, and confirmation is expected this week.

Hodgson, speaking as the players prepared to board the plane, said: "I congratulate him. And I congratulate Liverpool signing a good player."

The 32-year-old is set to become the Anfield club's first summer signing as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign, in which Liverpool will play Champions League football for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

Lambert scored 13 times for Southampton in the Premier League last season and has been the club's top scorer in League One, the Championship and the Premier League, having signed at St Mary's in 2009 from Bristol Rovers; he was released from Liverpool's academy aged 15.

Hodgson added: "When he plays you will see a fella running around with all the joy that his heart can muster because he is very happy to be with England and he's very happy that the move to Liverpool has gone through."

“When he plays you will see a fella running around with all the joy that his heart can muster”

Roy Hodgson

The south coast club are in danger of losing the majority of their first choice 11 after an impressive season, finishing eighth in the league, and manager Mauricio Pochettino replacing Tim Sherwood at Tottenham last week.

Luke Shaw, the young left-back who has taken Ashely Cole's place in the England squad, has been heavilly linked with a move to Manchester United, while Adam Lallana has been the subject of a £25m bid from Liverpool.

And there is uncertainty over the futures of Dejan Lovren, Jay Rodriguez, Calum Chambers, James Ward-Prowse, Victor Wanyama, Nathaniel Clyne, and Jose Fonte.

The England boss sympathises with their position.

"It is a pity for Southampton," he said.

"But there are always big fish in the sea and it is hard to keep those fish away sometimes.

"We have got good players and I am afraid they are always going to gravitate towards the big clubs."